THE INVESTIGATION OF DRINKING WATER 

 SUPPLIES 



H. A. WHITTAKEB 



The question of what constitutes a safe water supply for 

 drinking purposes, and the proper method of determining 

 this fact are subjects that have given sanitarians much con- 

 cern ever since the discovery of water-borne diseases. in- 

 vestigators have worked for many years developing and per- 

 fecting field and laboratory methods for the detection of un- 

 safe supplies, devising corrective measures to eliminate the 

 dangers found to exist, and preventing the repetition of these 

 errors in new installations. This work has resulted in the 

 discovery of certain general principles concerning the pro- 

 tection of water supplies, and in establishing analytical 

 methods and standards for their control. The application 

 of these principles, methods, and standards to water supply 

 investigations by different health organizations has differed 

 widely throughout the country. The water supply service 

 has often been adapted to the existing health organization 

 rather than the organization being adjusted and equipped 

 properly to handle the work. Some organizations have fol- 

 lowed the dangerous practice of depending largely upon an 

 analysis of the water without requiring a detailed field survey 

 by a trained observer to secure accurate information regarding 

 the location, construction, and the management of the supply. 

 A common practice is to leave the field survey of the supply 

 to untrained individuals in the local communities. Data 

 sheets and sampling equipment are often furnished to local 

 authorities and private citizens who collect the field data and 

 water samples on which the safety of the supply is determined. 

 There are several points in connection with this practice that 

 are dangerous to public safety. The field survey, which is 

 one of the most essential parts of the investigation, is placed 



